Take a spin on the ice at Rockefeller Center

When I was a little kid growing up outside of New York City, my family always tried to make the yearly trip to Rockefeller Plaza to see the Christmas tree and the holiday displays at the department stores. The skating rink and the Plaza have always felt like a special place around the holidays, full of energy and perhaps a bit of nostalgia as well, at least for me.

Opened in 1936, The Ice Skating Rink at Rockefeller Center celebrates its 75th year as one of the most visited attractions in New York City. The panorama above is a composite of over 65 separate photographs merged together to represent an immersive 360-degree view from the center of the ice.

Below is a video from Brian Williams on the history of the ice rink and a time-lapse video of the installation of the 12-ton, 2011 Christmas tree.

People have been hitting the ice at Rockefeller Center since 1936. Today, the ice skating rink is one of the most visited New York destinations during the holiday season. Brian Williams gives a special tour of the rink and looks back on its history.

Watch as our cameras capture the intricate process that transforms and illuminates a 12-ton Christmas tree in New York City's Rockefeller Plaza.